Friends of Ripon Grammar School

The Friends of RGS is a registered charity (Registered Charity No 1109915)

Friends of RGS are a group of parents who volunteer their time to provide enrichment activities for pupils, staff, parents and the wider community of Ripon. We endeavour to raise funds for the school to support pupils and staff with equipment and facilities, that are not provided for by the funding allocated to the school from government.

History of the Friends of RGS

We believe the Parents’ Association started in October 1935, and parents had to pay a subscription of 1 shilling per annum. The money raised was for causes in the community, but in 1937 the PA was asked to consider providing financial help for the school library, and since the 1980s has been very active in raising funds for the school. More recently, the PA changed its name to the Friends of RGS, which reflects the diversity of modern family structures and encompasses the wider community including Old Rips.

What we do

We meet twice a month, informally in Ripon and formally at school, in term time to plan and discuss ways we can raise funds; organise social events for parents, and support the school with calendared events.

We aspire to listen to the pupil, staff and parent body to help shape our fundraising decision-making.

At RGS's recent Beauty and the Beast musical, our refreshments stall raised a fantastic £673 for the benefit of students

Joining the Friends of RGS: How you can help

Parents and friends are welcome to join the committee at any point within the school year. We are a diverse group of people, of all ages from various backgrounds, coming together to share a common goal of raising funds to support the school and organising social events for parents.

The committee needs the support of ALL parents to attend organised activities, help plan social events, serve refreshments and get involved in some way.

If you would like to help occasionally without being on the committee, we would still love to hear from you. Whether it’s helping with serving refreshments or baking, your help is invaluable. We have a growing list of people who enjoy baking who are able to offer home-baked produce for school events. The amount of time you are able to offer is up to you, and would be gratefully received.

Please email us at friends@ripongrammar.com if you are interested in supporting us.

How you can find out what events are taking place

Details of meetings and events are available on the school website under the parents tab. We provide monthly updates in the school’s newsletter and can be found on Facebook.

Our main 2022 fundraising event 

Friends of RGS are excited to announce the RENAISSANCE BALL for the community of RGS, to include parents, staff, governors, friends of school, alumni and Old Rips.

The Renaissance Ball will be held at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate on Saturday, November 19. Our aim is to raise funds towards a health, fitness & well-being suite at RGS that would be all inclusive, benefitting all pupils, staff and the wider community of RGS.

Can you offer financial support?

We are always looking for any kind of charitable donation, raffle or auction prize, or any form of sponsorship.

If you are able to support Friends of RGS in any small way, by gifting, donating or sponsoring then please do get in touch.

Friends of RGS is registered as a charity. If you are an individual UK taxpayer donating a sum of money, we can potentially claim gift aid on your donation worth an extra 25 per cent. If this applies, we would be grateful if you could complete a gift aid declaration form.

If you are a company donating a sum of money, remember you can claim tax relief on a donation made to us.

Friends of RGS fundraising achievements

  • Supporting the development of two new classrooms
  • The school mini bus
  • Benches for the school grounds & bike racks requested by pupils
  • Lockers
  • Aqua Fit resources
  • Netball post covers and netball team dresses
  • Thai boxing kit
  • Replacement swimming pool lane ropes
  • Annual maintenance of planters and the school pond
  • Replacement projector and screen for the main hall
  • Storage bins for the DT department
  • Replacement 3D printer for DT department
  • Autoclave for the Biology Department
  • Fencing around science block
  • Geography field trip equipment
  • Language department equipment
  • Encyclopaedias
  • Author visits
  • Art department drying rack
  • Waterproof maps for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions
  • Violin and oboe scholarships
  • Costumes and props for school productions
  • Second defibrillator for the main school
  • And many other varied and unusual items....

A heartfelt THANK YOU in anticipation of your support on behalf of Friends of RGS.